Rotary machine



Jan. 19, 1937. F. W. Hl| D 2,067,921

ROTARY MACHINE Filed March 5, 1925 5 Sheets-snee?I 1 Jan. 19, 1937.

Filed March F. W. HlLD ROTARY MACHINE 5, 1.925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 HIII 'Ma/TOR.-

Jan. 19, 1937. v IF, W H|| D 2,067,921

ROTARY MACHINE Filed March 5, 1925' j v srsheets-sneet s A froze/:: Y.

Jan. 19, 1937. 1 F, W Hlm 2,067,921

ROTARY MACHINE v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Maron 5, 1925 Jan. 19, 1937. F. w. HILD 2,067,921

ROTARY MACHINE Filed March 5, 1925 5 sheets-sheet 5 Patented Jan. 19, 1937v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY MACHINE Application March 5, 1925, SeriavlrNo. 13,049

41 Claims.

This invention relates to the rotary system of drilling oil wells, and it particularly appertains to a rotary machine employed in this system.

In the drilling of oil wells by the rotary system, it is common to secure a cutter at the lower end of a drill pipe, which drill pipe extends upwardly through the well to the surface of the ground. A swivel head is attached at the upper end of the drill pipe and a travelling block is connected thereto, this travelling block serving to support the drill pipe. A high pressure pump is connected to the swivel head by means of a stand pipe and a hose, this pump being for the purpose of supplying rotary mud to the cutter or rotary bit during drilling operations. The upper end of the drill pipe is generally provided in the form of a square or iluted drilll stem which eX- tends through a rotary table of a rotary machine mounted on the floor of a derrick. This rotary table is rotated by mechanism of the derrick and rotates the drill pipe, thus rotating the rotary bit and thus drilling the well. l

It is an object of my invention to provide a rotary machine of this character in which the bearings and gears will be thoroughly lubricated. The base and table of the rotary machine are so constructed as to form an entirely closed oil chamber. `In this oil chamber are situated bearings for rotatably supporting the drill table and also the gears whereby the rotary table is rotated. When the machine is in operation, one of the gears whereby the table is rotated splashes in an oil body inside the oil chamber. Oil is splashed or carried'by the various moving parts,

thus thoroughly lubricating the gears and'thoroughly lubricating the'bearings. The table and base are so constructed as to entirely prevent dust from entering the oil chamber. n

It is another object of my invention to provide a novel form of baille member which arrests the leakage of oil from the roil chamber. The base of the rotary machine provides inner and outer upwardly extending annular walls and the table of the rotary machine provides an inner annular extension which extends inside the annular member and is prevented from seeping between (Cl. Z55-23) the upper face of the outer annular wall of the base and the outer lip of the table. The inner diameter of the outer wall of the base and the outer diameter of the bevel gear mounted on the table are of only a slight difference in size. The baffle plate is made from a semi-resilient material. When the table is installed in place, the inner portion of the baille plate is engaged by the periphery of the bevelgear and is swung from a normal position to allow the bevel gear to pass thereby. When the gear is passed by the baille plate, the baie plate will, due to its resiliency, swing outwardly into a normal position so as to extend over the outer portion of the bevel gear.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a novel form of hold-down ring for a rotary machine of this character. I provide a complete annular ring which is secured to the base of the machine., This annular ring is provided with a bearing race and between this hold-down ring land a. complementary race provided by a part of the table are placed balls. The hold-down ring is adjustable so that rany up and down move- Vment in the table may be eliminated. It is present practice to provide a hold-down ring which has a iiange engaging a face of the rotary table. The iiange is adjusted relative to the face of the table so that there is a slight space therebetween due to the fact that if there were engagement between these parts, there would be an 'excessive frictional engagement. Because of this space, there is always an up and down movement of the table relative to the base. bearing arrangement for a hold-down ring, it is possible to acquire a very accurate adjustment without appreciable friction and thus entirely eliminateup and down movement in the table as Well as radial Vibration of the table.

It is another object of my invention to pro-v vide in a rotary table of the character mentioned, a novel form of nonadjustable, pinion housing which allows for the insertion of a drive pinion into the oil chamber, and which also carries bearings for supporting a pinion shaft, with the end. .closure for the housing about the shaft to retain the oil within the device. I

By providing the machine. Another method of making and breaking joints is by rotating the lower part of the drill pipe and locking an upper stand thereof against rotation.

When the joints are made by the method of rotating `a top stand of the drill pipe, there is a great danger of the joints being made too tight and destroying the threads. Any galling of the threads of these joints reduces the dependability and life of the joints; however, the joints are very satisfactorily .broken by this method of rotating a top stand of the drill. In the effort to prevent the screwing of these joints too tight, various devices have been made which are arranged for installation on the tongs or on a post which extends from the rotary machine to the tongs-for rotating the top stand. These devices, however, have not proved very satisfactory.

It is an object o1' my invention to incorporate a means for positively restraining rotation in the lower portion oi' a string of drill pipe during the breaking of a Joint, and tor restraining rotation in the lower pipe of a string of drill pipe until a certain force is exerted against this lower pipe during the tightening of a joint. I provide the rotary machine with a special form of slip ring which carries slips for gripping the lower part of the drill pipe, this rotary machine being especially formed for the 'reception of said slip ring. Ihe slip ring is provided with a brake drum portion having a pair of shoulders formed thereon. A pair of brake shoes is arranged to engage said shoulders during the breaking o f a joint, thus positively restraining the lower part of the drill pipe from rotation. During the tightening of a joint, the slip ring is frictionally restrained from rotation by engagement of the brake drum by said brake shoes. When a certain amount of rotative force of the upper stand of drill pipe is transferred to the lower portion of the drill, frictional engagement between the brake drum and the brake shoes is overcome and the lower part of the drill pipe will rotate with the f upper stand. It is obvious that this arrangement will prevent the parts of said joints from being screwed too tightly together when making a joint.

It isanother object of my invention to provide a means for adjusting the pressure of a frictional engagement between the brake shoes and the brake drum, thus allowing a rotation of the lowerY part of the drill pipe in any desired rotational force.

It is also an object of m3' invention to provide a slip ring and braking construction which is of such a character that it may remain in place during the operation of the rotary machine when drilling the well.V This construction is of such a character `that it will offer no resistance to the various parts of the rotary machine during this time.

In the making and breaking of joints by a rotation of the lower part of the drill pipe, this lower part is generally engaged and rotated by the rotary table of the rotary machine. The upper stand of drill pipe is held against rotation by a suitable device such as pipe tongs.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide in a rotary machine of this character a special form of slip ring drive bushing `which is adapted for use in conjunction with the rslip ring brake arrangement of my invention.

Other objects and the especial advantages of this invention will be made evident hereinai ter.

v Referring to the nve sheets of drawings which are for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a rotary machine embodying .the features of my invention, this section being taken through a rotary table of the machine substantially as indicated by the line I-I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one end of therotary machine, this view showing a table of the rotary machine and being partially sectioned to clearly show certain oi.' the features of this invention.

Fig. 3 is a view taken substantially as indicated by the arrow'3of Fig. 2, this view showing a novel. form of pinionhousing provided by the invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view clearly illustrating the construction and operation of a novel form of baule plate provided by this invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, this view clearly showing the construction of a slip ring and brakingarrangement of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a partial plan view of Fig. 5. Y I f Fig. 'Tis a section takensubstanti'ally as indicated by the line 1--1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the rotary 'table showing a slip ring drive bushing of my invention in use.

Fig. 91s a section taken as indicated by the line 3- 8 of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, a rotary table having the features of my invention has a base frame II which is arranged to be supported by suitable planks I2. At one end o1' the base Il is a base opening I3 which is surrounded by an inner annular upwardly extending wall I5. Extending concentrically around the wall I5 is an upwardly extending outer annular wall I6.l Between the walls I5 and I5 is a bottom I 1. A lower portion I3 of an inner extension 20 of a rotary table 2l extends inside the upper end-23 of th inner annular wall I5. An outer lip extends downwardly around the upper portion 26 of the outer annular Wall I6. A top 21 of the table 2| extends between the annular projection 20 and the lip 25 of the table 2l. Thetable 2| and the base II cooperate to provide a completely closed annular oil chamber 28.

An inner face 3l oi' a lower bearing race 32 is forced upon an outer face 33 of the upper portion 23 of the inner annular wall I 5 to the extent that` a lower face 34 thereof engages with an annular face 35 provided by the bottom I1 insidethe oil chamber 28. Suitable -shims 31 may be placed between the faces 34 and 35 to adjust the lower bearing race 32 to the proper position. An inner face 33 of anupper bearing race 40 is pressed upon an outer face 4I of the annular projection 28 to the extent that an upper face 42 thereof engages the face 43 provided by the table 2l. A series of ball bearings 45 is placed in channels 46 and 41 of` the bearing races 48 and 32, respectively. The bearing .races 32 and 48 and the ball bearings 45 are located inside 'the oil chamber 28 and serve to rotatably support the rotary table 2 I.

A completely annular race portion 48 of a hold-down ring 43 extends intothe groove of the table formed above an upper, outer face 50 of the upper bearing race 48. Between the upper face 58 of the race 40 and a face 52 of the race portion 48 of theiholdr-down ring 49, is arranged a series of balls 53. A flange portion of the hold-down ring 48 is bolted to an annular face 58 of the bottom I1 of the base II by means o1' titi bolts 5T. Shims 58 are placed between the face 56 and the flange 55 for adjusting the hold-down ring 49 to aproper position. This hold-down ring 49 is provided for the purpose of eliminating shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the chamber 28 is enlarged at 65 for the reception of a pinion gear 66 which is arranged to engage and drive the bevel gear 6|. 'Ihe annular face 56 and the ange portion 55 of the hold-down ring`9 terminateat` either side of this enlargement 65, as indicated at 61, to provide room for the pinion gear 66.` The pinion gear 66 is secured to the end of a shaft 68 which extends, outwardly from the oil chamber 28 through a pinion housing 69. This end of the shaft 68 is supported by a roller bearing 1I which is supported by a cylindrical wall 12 of the pinion housing 69. The opposite end of this shaft 68, as shown in Fig. 8, is rotatably supported in a bearing 15. The shaft 68 is driven by any suitable means such as a sprocket wheel 16 shown in Fig. 8, which may be rotated by a sprocket chain, not shown.

With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 thevbearing housing 69 has an outer cylindrical wall'18 which extends into a cylindrical opening 19 formed -in the outer wall I6 of the base II.'y The pinion housing 69 is secured in place by bolts 88 which extend through a radial flange A8| thereof. The cylindrical opening 19 in the wall I6 is slightly larger than the periphery of the pinion gear 66. 'I'he pinion gear 66 is installed in place in the enlarged portion 65 of the chamber 28 through the opening 19, after which the pinion housing 69 is secured in place, as shown in the drawings. 'I'he outer enclosing plate of the bearing housing 69 around the shaft has a lesser diameter than the overall diameter of the bearing, thereby retaining lubricant which might otherwise escape.

The opening 19 also provides access to the chamber 28 so that the balls 53 of the hold-down ring arrangement may be installedprevious to the installing of the pinion gear 66.' All of the bolts 51 which secure the hold-down ring 49 in place are loosened so that the ring may be lifted and may be tightened or otherwise adjusted from the outside of the enclosed portion as the nuts on these bolts 51, as seen in Fig. 1, are on the outside. Spacers 83 which space the balls 53 are made in sections 84 as clearly shown in Fig. 2. These sections are of such a vsize that they may be inserted through the opening 19 and into place between the race 48 and the face 58 of the upper bearing race 48. After all of the sections 84 of' the spacers 83 are arranged in place, the bolts 51 are tightened, thus securing the hold-down ring 49 in its proper position. After this'installation, the pinion 66 is installed.

As clearly shown in Fig. 4 an annular baille plate 88 is securedito an upper annular face 89 ,of the outer annular wall I6. A baille portion 98 of the plate 88 extends inwardly inside the inner face 9| of the wall I6, this portion 98 extending above the outer portion of the bevel gear 6|. As is evident from Fig. 4, the inner face 9| and the periphery 93 of the gear 6 I. are nearly the same size. To permit the passing of the bevel gear 6| by the baille plate 88, it is necessary to construct the baille plate 88 of a semi-resilient material. When the table 2| is installed, it is first moved into position above its proper position, as indicated by the dotted lines of Fig. 4. The complete tablev2| is then lowered. The periphery 93 of the bevel gear 6| engages the baille portion 99 of the baille plate 88, swinging it into the position shown by the dotted lines 96 of this ligure. When the gear 6| has moved past the baille plate 88, the baille portion 98 thereof due to its resiliency, will swing into the position shown in full lines in this gure. When in this position, the portion 98 extends over the outer portion of the bevel gear 6|. When the table 2| is removed from place, the periphery 93 vof the bevel gear 6| engages the portion 99 of the baille plate 88 and swings it into the position indicated by the dotted lines 91 of Fig. 4.

If the baille plate 88 were made of a rigid material, it would be necessary to make the difference in size of the face 9| and the periphery 93 much greater than is necessary lwith a semi-resilientbaille plate as provided kby my invention. By the provision of this baille plate 88. it is possible to make these portions v9| and 83 of substantially the same size, thus saving considerable space.

The enlarged portion 65 of the chamber 28 is illed with oil as indicated at 98 in Fig. 1. When the rotary machine is in operation, the oil is splashed by the pinion gear 66. This splashing carries oil to the bevel gear 6| andv to the supporting bearing of the machine. to the hold-down bearing. This splash system of lubrication thoroughly lubricates these bearings as well as lubricating the pinion and the lbevel gear. The balile plate 88 prevents a leakage between the wall I6 and the lip 25. Any oil which is splashed in this vicinity strikes against a lower face of the baille portion 99 and is deflected downwardly. Any oil which strikes on the upper face of the baille portion 98 gravitates due to the slope thereof away from the wall I6 and the lip 25`back toA "from `these moving parts. The baiile platel 88 eliminates the leakage of oil from the chamber 28 at this point. Thenfeature ofthe pinion housing 69 readily permits the inserting of the balls and spacers of the hold-down arrangement, and also permits an easy installation of the pinion gear 66.

The slip ring and braking ccnstruction of mv invention .is clearly shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '1 of the drawings. With particular reference to these figures, a. slip ring ||8 rests in the opening I 3 of the .base |I and an opening III of the table 2|. An annular bevel face I|3 of the slip ring II 8 engages a bevel shoulder I|4 which surrounds the opening I3; thus the slip ring |I8 is supported in place. Slips II5 are supported by a conical inner face I|6 of the ring H8, these slips H5 being adapted to engage and support a drill pipe ||8 during the making and breaking of a joint. v

A brake drum face |28 is provided at the lower end of the slip ring I8 between radial faces I2| and |22. The two opposing halves of the brake drum face |20 are formed on centers which are slightly oiset with respect to each other in such a manner as to form shoulders |23 which are diametrically opposed to each other. Resting against a brake drum |20 are brake shoes 25, these. brake shoes |25 being hingeably secured together by flexible hinge members |21 which are pivoted together at |28. 'I'hese hinge members |21 retain the brake shoes |25 in their proper positions, but due to the exibility thereof allow these brake shoes to operate against the brake drum independently with respect to each other. Brake rods I 30 extend through openings I3I in the base II, the inner ends |35 thereof extending into outer cavities |34 formed in the brake shoes |25. The outer ends of these brake rods pivot at |36 to arms |31 of bell cranks |38, which bell cranks |38 pivot at |39 to clevises I4| of the base II. Arms |42 of the bell cranks |38 are forked at |44 and have blocks |45 pivotally secured thereto by means of pins |46. Adjustably secured to the blocks |45 are eye-bolts |41, which eye-bolts |41 have tension springs |50 connected with eyes |5I thereof. The lower ends of the springs |50 are secured to rods |53 which are supported by brackets |54, these brackets |54 being shown as secured to planks I2 which support the base II.

Extending upwardly from a post hole |58 formed in the rotary table 2| is a tong post |59. This tong post |59 extends upwardly into a socket |60 formed in a boss at the end of a tong lever I6I of a pair of tongs |62. The tongs I 62 as shown in Fig. are placed around an upper stand |63 of the string of drill pipe II8.

When the arrangement shown is employed for breaking a joint, the rotary table is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows |64 of Figs. 6 and 7. When the rotation starts, the complete string of drill pipe II8 rotates and the slip ring |I0 rotates therewith until the shoulders I 23 move into engagement with end faces I 65 of the brake shoes |25. This engagement positively prevent-s a further movement in the lower part of the drill pipe, the upper stand |63 of this drill pipe turning with the table 2|, thus breaking the joint. The pressure of the shoulders |23 against the shoulders |65 of the shoes |25 is applied to the rods |30 which are very rugged and resist any rotation in the shoes |25.

As mentioned in the preamble, there is at present when using apparatus for making joints by this method great danger of making the joints too tight and ruining the threads thereof, reducing their dependability and life. My equipment is of such a character that the lower part of the drill pipe is permitted to rotate when a certain tightness of joint is obtained. The springs |50 exert a downward pull on the arms |42 of the bell cranks |38, thus forcing the rods |30'inwardly against the brake shoes |25, this in turn forcing the brake shoes |25 against the drum |20. By adjusting the relative positions of the pins |41 and the blocks |45, the pull of the springs against the bell cranks |38 may be regulated; this in turn regulating the pressure of engagement between the brake shoes |25 and the brake drum |20. If desired, in place of the spring arrangement shown for forcing the shoes into engagement with the brake drum, I may provide a weight arrangement which will accomplishthe same result as the construction shown.

When making a joint, the lower portion of the drill pipe is held in the same manner as when breaking a joint. The tongs |62 are placed on the upper stan-d of pipe to be secured to the drill pipe, and the post |59 is extended into one of the openings |58 of the rotary table 2|. The rotary table is then rotated in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrows |64 of Figs. 6 and 7. The frictional engagement between the brake shoes |25 and the drum I 20 prevents a rotation of the lower part of the drill pipe I I 8. As the upper stand is threaded to the lower part of the drill pipe, a frictional engagement therebetween gradually increases as the joint tightens. The rotational force of the upper stand |63 is transferred to the lower part of the drill pipe |I8 in proportion to the tightness of the joint being made. It

is arranged that sufiicient rotational force to overcome the irictional engagement between the shoes 25 and the drum 20 will be transferred to `the lower part of the drill pipe when the joint has been tightened to a proper degree. When this point is reached, the force of rotation transferred to the lower part of the drill pipe by the upper stand is sufiicie'nt to overcome the friction of the engagement between the brake shoes |25 and the brake drum |20 and the lower part of the drill pipe I I8 will rotate with the upper stand being secui ed thereto. When the ring I I0 is rotated in a -direction reverse to that indicated by the arrows |64, the shoulders |23 as is evident from Fig. 3, move uninterferingly inside the brake shoes |25.

During the drilling of the well, a stem drive bushing may be placed in the opening III of the table 2| without the necessity of removing the slip ring I|0 or any of the breaking parts from place as they oiTer no resistance to the member |10 or to the rotation of the table 2 I. The bushing |10 is shown installed in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The arrangement of my invention as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 will positively lock the lower part of the drill pipe against rotation during the breaking of a joint an-d will frietionally restrain the lower part of the drill pipe from rotation during the making up of a joint until the time that a certain amount of rotational force is transferred to the lower part of the drill pipe from the upper stand being secured thereto. A screwing of the joints too tightly together and any damage caused thereby are entirely eliminated. The tightness of the joint is determined by the magnitude of the force of the frictional engagement between the drum and brake shoes, which frictional engagement may be regulated to a desired point by varying the tension of the springs |50.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I illustrate the use of a slip drive bushing of my invention adapted to be-used in conjunction with the slip ring I I0 when joints are to be broken by the method of rotating the lower part of the drill pipe while the upper Stand is held non-rotatable. As clearly shown in these gures, I providey a .drive bushing |90 having a polygonal portion I9I and a conical portion |92. The drive bushing is placed in the opening I I I in the table 2| in such a manner that the polygonal portion |9| rests in polygonal formation |93 of the opening III, and in such a. manner that the conical portion |92 engages with a conical formation |94 of the table 2| An engagement between the polygonal portion I9I and the polygonal formation |93 serves to rotate the drive bushing with the table and an engagement between the conical portion |92 and the conical formation |94 serves to support the drive bushing |90. In a central opening I 95 of the drive bushing |90 is an annular wall I 96 having notches |91 formed therein. The slip ring ||0 has an annular shoulder |99 which engages with thel upper face of the wall |96, thus supporting the slip ring ||0 away from the bevel shoulder H4 oi' the base Lugs |99 are formed on the exterior of the slip ring ||0y which lugs |99 extend into the notches |91 serving as a means whereby the slip ring ||0 is rotated with the drive bushing |90. These lugs |99 also serve to strengthen the slip ring III). To permit a ready installation of the drive bushing |90, this drive bushing is made in the form of cooperating parts 202. The upper stand, in thisl method of breaking the joints, is held against rotation by a pair of tongs 204. The rotary table is rotated in the proper direction as the drive bushing and slip ring rotate therewith.

'I'his rotates the lower section of the pipe ||8,l

thereby breaking the joint. The slip ring and brake arrangement and drive bushing of my invention adapt the rotary table for quickly making and breaking the joints of stands of drill pipe. The joints may be readily broken and they may be readily made without danger of making the joints too tight and ruining the threads.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a body, said body having inner and outer upwardly extending concentric annular walls forming an annular channel; a table carried by said body, said table having a downwardly extending annular extension and a downwardly extending annular lip, said annular extension extending inside said inner wall and said lip extending outside said outer wall, thus forming an annular oil chamber; a lower annular bearing race carried by said body; an upper annular bearing race carried by said table; ball bearings arranged between said lower and upper bearing races, Wherebysaid table is rotatably supported; an annular hold-down ring secured to said body; and balls arranged between said holddown ring and said upper bearing race for preventing an up or down movement in said table, said upper and lower bearing races, said ball bearings, said hold-down ring and said balls being disposed inside said oil chamber.

2. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of a body, said body having inner and outer upwardly extending concentric annular walls forming an annular channel; a table carried by said body, said table having a downwardly extending annular extension and a downwardly extending annular lip, said annular extension extending inside said inner wall and said lip extending outside saidouter wall, thus forming an annular oil chamber; an annular:

baiile secured to the upper face of said outer annular wall; an annular bearing disposed in said annular oil chamber for rotatably supporting said table; a bevel gear on said table inside said annular oil chamber; and apinion gear for driving said bevel gear, said pinion gear being situated inside said annular oil chamber.

3. A combination as in claim 2 in which said bevel gear has an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of said outer wall and in which said baille extends inwardly from said outer wall and is iiexible to permit the extending of said bevel gear thereby.

4. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a body, said body having inner and outer upwardly extending concentric annular walls forming an annular channel; a table carried by said body, said table having a downwardly extending annular extension and a downwardly extending annular lip, said annular extension extending inside said inner wall and said lip extending outside said outer wall, thus forming an annular oil chamber; an annular bearingdisposed in said annular oil chamber for rotatably supporting said table; a bevel gear on said table inside said annular oil chamber; a

pinion gear for driving said bevel gear, said pinion gear being situated inside said annular oil chamber; and a pinion housing, said pinion housing being secured to said outer Wall of ysaid base for closing an opening through which said `pnionis inserted into said oil chamber.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4 in which said pinion housing carries a bearing for a -shaft extending from said pinion gear.

6. In a rotary machine of the class described,

the combination of: a base having a base opening therethrough; a rotary table rotatably carried by said base, said rotary table having an opening therethrough which aligns with said base opening; a slip ring arranged in said openings; slips carried by said slip ring, said slips being adapted to grip a pipe; and means for positively preventing a rotation of said pipe in one direction and for retarding a rotation of said pipe in an opposite direction, said means allowing said pipe to rotate in said second mentioned direction when the resistance of said retarding means is overcome.

'7. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base having a base opening therethrough; a rotary table rotatably carried by said base, said rotary table having an opening therethrough which aligns with said base opening; a slip ring -arranged in said openings; slips carried by said slip ring, said slips being adapted to grip a pipe; and means for positively preventing a rotation of said pipe in one direction and frictionally preventing a rotation of said pipe in an opposite direction.

8. In a rotary machine .of theclass described, the combination of: a base having a base opening therein; a rotary table supported by said base, said rotary table havinga" table opening which aligns with said base opening; a slip ring arranged in said openings; and means for positively preventing rotation of said slip ring in one direction and for frictionally preventing a rotation of said slip ring in an opposite direction.

9. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base having a base opening therein; a rotary table supported by said base, said rotary table having a table opening which aligns with said base opening; a slip,ring arranged in said openings; a brake drum formed on said slip ring; and brake shoes adapted to engage said brake drum so as to prevent a rotation of said brake drum. i

10. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base having a base opening therein; a rotary table supported by said base,

said rotary table having a table opening which aligns with said base opening; a slip ring arranged in said openings; a brake drum formed on said slip ring, said brake drum having shoulders; and brake shoes adapted to operate on said drum, said brake shoes being arrangedto ing therein; a rotary table supported by said base, said rotary table having a table opening which aligns with said base opening; a slip ring arranged in said openings; a brake drum formed on said slip ring, said brake drum having shoulders; brake shoes adapted to operate on said drum, said brake shoes being arranged to positively prevent a rotation of said slip ring in oneA opposite direction by engagement of said brake.

shoes with said brake drum; and means for adjustably forcing said brake shoes into engagement with said brake drum.

12. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base having a base opening therein; a rotary table supported by said base, said rotary table having a table opening which aligns with said base opening; a slip ring arranged in said openings; a brake drum formed on said slip ring, said brake drum having shoulders; brake shoes adapted to operate on said drum, said brake shoes being arranged to positively prevent a rotation of said slip ring in one direction by engaging said shoulders and to frictionally prevent a rotation of said slip ring in an opposite direction by engagement of said brake shoes with said brake drum; brake shoe rods engaging said brake shoes; bell cranks, said bell cranks having said brake shoe rods hinged thereto; and springs attached to said bell cranks, said springs being adapted to affect said bell cranks in such a manneras to bring said brake shoe rods pressurably into engagement with said brake shoes.

13. A. combination as in claim 12 in which said eiIect of said springs on said bell cranks is wd- Justable.

14. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of: a base having a base opening therein; a rotary table supported by said base, said rotary table having a table opening which aligns with said base opening; a slip ring arranged in said openings and supported by said base; and means for positively preventing rotation of said slip ring in one direction and for frictionally preventing a rotation of said slip ring in an opposite direction.

15. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of a base having, a base opening therein; a rotary table supported by said base, said rotary table having a table opening which aligns with said base opening; a slip-ring arranged in said openings and supported by said base; a brake drum formed on said slip ring, said brake drum having shoulders; and brake shoes adapted to operate on said drum, said brake shoes being arranged to positively prevent a rotation of said slip ring in one direction by engaging said shoulders and to frictionally prevent a rotation of said slip ring in an opposite direction by engagement of said brake shoes with said brake drum.

16. In a rotary machine of the class described, the combination of a base having a base opening therein; a rotary table supported by said base, said rotary table having a table opening which aligns with said base opening; a slip ring arranged in said openings andsupported by said base; a brake drum formed on said slip ring, said brake drum having shoulders; brake shoes adapted to operate on said drum, said brake shoes being arranged to positively prevent a rotation of said slip ring in one direction by engaging said shoulders and to frictionally prevent a rotation of said ranged in said openings andl supported-by .salda base; a brake drum formed on said slip ring, said brake drum having shoulders; brake shoes adapted to operate on said-drum, said brake shoes being arranged to positively prevent a rotation of said slip ring in one direction by engaging said shoulders and to frictionally prevent a rotation of said slip ring in an opposite direction by engagement of said brake shoes with said brake drum; brake shoe rods engaging said brake shoes; 'bell cranks, said bell cranks having said brake shoe rods hinged thereto; and springs attached to said bell cranks, said springs being adapted to affect said bell cranks in such a manner as to bring said brake shoe rods pressurably into engagement with said brake shoes.

18. In a rotary, a basehaving an annular oil chamber, a shaft housing secured to said base and having an oil chamber therein communicating with said annular chamber, a shaft within said housing, a pinion on said shaft and rotating in part in the annular chamber, a gear on said table meshing with said pinion, a plurality of series of bearings all located in part in said annular chamber rotatingly supporting said table on said base.

19. The combination with a table, an annular gear carried thereby, a series of bearings for said gear, abase enclosing said gear bearings between said base and table, a shaft, a pinion thereon driving said gear, of a one piece housing for said shaft having a fluid-tight connection with said base and forming with it an oil bath for said shaft, pinion and bearings.'

20. In'a rotary for well drilling, a bed plate, a table thereon, means forming an enclosure between said bed plate and table, a table supporting bearing between saidtable and said bed plate, a ring gear on said table, hold-down means in said enclosure to hold said table on said bed plate, and means for oiling said bearing and said holddown device.

21. In a rotary drilling machine, a bed plate, a table rotatable on said bed plate, means forming an enclosure between said table' and bed plate, a thrust bearing within said enclosure, a gear on said table, a pinion engaging said gear within said enclosure. means to hold said table on said bed plate, said pinion acting to circulate lubricant to said gear and said bearing, said table holding means including a hold-down ring on said bed plate engaging within a groove in said table.

22. In an oil bath rotary for well drilling, a table, a bed plate supporting said table, an upstanding rim on said bed plate, a downwardly extending annular projection on said table forming a chamber between said bed plate and said table, a gear on said table within said chamber, a bearing on said bed plate, a hold-down ring attached to said upstanding rim and arranged to hold said table on said bed plate, and a lubricating system contained within said chamber, said gear acting to deliver lubricant to said ring.

23. In a rotary drilling machine, a table, a bed plate therefor, means forming an enclosure between said bed plate' and table, a gear on said table, a pinion engaging said gear, a drive shaft for said pinion, a thrust bearing for said pinion, a vhold-down ring on said bed plate, engaging said table, said pinion acting to circulate lubricant to said thrust bearing and said hold-down rin 2i. In a rotary for well drilling, a rotary table, a bed plate, anti-friction bearings supporting said table upon said bedplate, an oil chamber formed in said bedplate, a gear onv said table, ardrive shaft supported on said bedplate, a pinion on said shaft, an annular groove on said table form-` ing a shoulder, a hold-down bearing ring Aattached to said bedplate and engaging said shoulder for holding said table down on said bedplate, said holddown bearing ring and said annular groove being situated inside of Said oil chamber,

said gear and pinion causing a circulation oflubricant to said bearing.

25. In a rotary of the class described, the combination of a. body, said body having inner and outer upwardly extending walls forming a channeL-a table carried by said body, said table having a downward extension projecting inside said inner wall, and a downwardly extending lip projecting outside said outer wall, thus forming an oil chamber; an anti-friction thrust bearing supporting said table in rotation upon said body, a hold-down bearing ring secured on said body and engaging a shoulder on said table for holding said table down on said body, said thrustbearing and hold-down ring bearing being disposed inside said channel.

26. In a rotary for well drilling, .a table, a bedplate, complementary parts on said bedplate and said table forming a chamber therebetween, a

` hold-down bearing disposed in said chamber and means of adjusting said hold-down ring onsaid bed plate.

27. In a rotary for well drilling, a table, a bed plate, complementary parts on said bedplate and p said table forming a chamber therebetween, a hold-down bearing disposed in said chamber, means for securing said holddown bearing to said bed plate, and means secured voutside of said chamber for fastening said hold-down bearing to said bedplate.

28. In a rotary for well drilling, a bed plate, a table rotatable thereon, complementary parts on said table and said bed plate forming a chamber therebetween, a unitary one-piece hold-down bearing ring disposed in said chamber, and means to secure said hold-down ring to said bed plate.

29. In a rotary for well drilling, a bed plate, a table rotatable thereon, interengaging parts on said'table and bed plate forming a closed chamber therebetween, said chamber being formed with outer and inner compartments, a table gear disposed in one of said compartments and an antifriction thrust bearing disposed in another of said compartments, and means to circulate lubricant in said chamber.

30. In a rotary machine of the type employed in the drilling of wells, the combination of, a base, a rotary table above said base, means on said table and base cooperating to form a closed chamber between the same, a.v ring gear on said table in said chamber, a drive pinion extending into said chamber and engaging said gear, bearings for said table on said base, said pinion acting in rotating to splash lubricant in said chamber to said gear and said bearings, an outwardly projecting annular shoulder on said table, a hold down ring on said base engaging above said shouland shoulder.

31. In a rotary machine of the type employed in the drilling of wells, the combination of, a base, a. rotary table above said base, means on said table and base cooperating to form a closed chamber between the same, a ring gear on said table in said chamber, a drive pinion extending into said chamber and engaging saidgear, bearings for said table on said base, a lubricant containing recess in said base below said pinion, said pinion acting to convey lubricant from said recess to said ring gear and said bearings, an inwardly rejecting hold ldown means on said base, an outwardly projecting shoulder on said table, and anti-friction bearings between said hold-down means and said shoulder to hold said table rotatably on said base.

32. In a rotary device for well drilling, a base plate, an annular bearing race on said base, bearings thereon, a table rotatable on said bearings, an upwardly extending rim on said'base, a skirt on said table cooperating with said rim to form an enclosure for said bearings, there being a lateral opening in said rim, a ring gear on said table in said enclosure, a closure member in said opening to seal the same, a shaft bearing in said 4 member, a drive shaft in said shaft bearing, and a drive pinion on said shaft within said enclosure positioned to engage said ring gear.-

33. In a rotary device for well drilling, a base plate, an annular bearing race on said base, bearings thereon, a table rotatable on said bearings, an upwardly extending rim on said base, a skirt on said table cooperating with said rim to form an enclosure for said bearings, an inner annular wall on said base inside said bearings to form a lubricant channel between said rim and wall, a'ring gear on said table within said enclosure,'a drive shaft projecting through an opening in said rim, a pinion thereon engaging said ring gear, a closure for said opening about said shaft and shaft bearings in said closure for said shaft.

34. In a rotary device for well drilling, a base plate, an annular bearing race on said base, bearings thereon, a table rotatable on said bearings, an upwardly extending rim on said base, a skirt on said table cooperating with said rim to form an enclosure'for said bearings, an inner annular wall on said base inside said bearings to form a lubricant channel between said rim and wall, a ring gear on said table within said enclosure, a drive shaft projecting through an opening in said rim, a pinion thereon engaging said ring gear, a closure for said opening about said shaft and shaft bearings in said closure for said shaft, said pinion, shaft, shaft bearing, and said closure being arranged to be inserted as a unit into said opening.

35.' In an oil bath rotary for well drilling, including a base, a table rotatable thereon, an enclosed holddown bearing for said table on said base and means for lubricating the same.

36. In an inclosed oil bath rotary for well drilling, including a base, a table rotatable thereon, an enclosure between said table and said base, a table hold down bearing within said enclosure, and means in said enclosure for lubricating said hold down bearing.

37. In an oil bath rotary for well drilling, an enclosure within which is located a table hold down bearing, and means for excluding foreign matter from said enclosure.

38. In a rotary machine for well drilling, the combination of a base, a rotary table, a supporting bearing assembly on said base :for rotatably supporting the table, an inner annular upstanding wall in the base enclosing the supporting bearing assembly circumferentially to define a separate lubricant chamber for `the bearing, an outer upstanding annular wall on the base cooperating with the table to define a separate lubricant chamber between the inner and outer4 viding a lubricant chamber, a support inwardly.

of said upstanding wall within said chamber; a bearing on said support for rotatably supporting said rotary table; drive means for driving said table including a ring gear secured to said table a and a pinion gear, both of which are within said chamber, said pinion gear delivering lubricant to said ring gear; and a hold down ring above the oil level in the lubricant chamber for receiving lubricant dropping from said ring gear.

40. In a rotary machine of the type employed in drilling oil wells, the combination of: a base having an annular oil channel and an annular support inwardly of said oil channel; a bearing supported on said support; a table supported on said bearing, said table cooperating with said base to form a closed chamber in which said annular oil channel, said support, and said bearing are located; a ring gear secured to said table and situated in said chamber above said oil channel; a rotatable drive pinion serving to supply oil to said ring gear, said oil dropping downwardly in said chamber from the teeth thereof; and a hold down ring intercepting said voil falling in said chamber.

41. A rotary machine oi the type employed in the drilling of oil wells, the combination of a base having an annular oil channel; a rotary table above said base and cooperating therewith to form a closed chamber in which said oil channel is located; a bearing in said chamber for rotatably supporting said table; a ring gear on said table within said chamber; means for supplying said ring gear with oil, a hold down device in said chamber, said machine being constructed so that the oil from said ring gear will serve to lubricate said hold down device for said table.

FREDERIC W. HILD. 

